• The goods: The Eagles return 24 lettermen but only four starters on each side of
the ball. As usual, Big Walnut has a lot of hard-nosed, competitive players but not a lot of
superstars. Myers, who made five interceptions last season, is perhaps the most skilled
athlete.

• The goods: Owens, who spent the past three seasons at struggling Westerville
North, knows something about the rebuilding process. He inherits a group of players who are
multi-sport athletes, and the Falcons have speed at the skill positions.

• The goods: Having posted eight winning seasons in a row (seven under Mueller),
New Albany has created a culture of hard work, expectations and commitment. The Eagles have made
the playoffs five times in that span. Lee, an Ohio State recruit, hopes to lend his athletic skills
as a play-making quarterback.

• The goods: Terwilliger’s off-season emphasis has focused on practicing and
playing with a greater sense of urgency and paying more attention to the details that decide games.
Defensively, the Braves have a strong nucleus on the perimeter. The offensive line, anchored by
Illinois recruit Schmidt, is in good hands, but skill-position players must emerge.

Olentangy Orange Pioneers

• Coach: Brian Cross (year at school: fifth; career record: 211-113)

• Last year: 8-3, 6-1 (tied for first in division; Division I regional
quarterfinalist)

• The goods: Hill is an excellent athlete and a major-college recruit, and he is
supported by a solid offensive line. The front four will establish the tone on defense. Finding
playmakers to fill the shoes of graduated runner/receiver/returner Brandon Schoen, now at Ohio
Dominican, will be difficult.

• The goods: For the third straight season, Kemp (1,010 yards, 15 TDs) will be the
centerpiece of the Watkins offense, which has plenty of options. Crawford, who made 58 tackles last
season, is one of nine starters back on defense.